Good afternoon Shadow Creek Ranch Homeowners,
We are reaching out to bring awareness to the weather forecast over the next 4 days.
The National Weather Service forecast currently calls for overnight temperatures below freezing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a chance for freezing rain on Thursday. As always, forecasts can change over time in either direction; however, we honor the creed of “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst”, when any unusual, inclement weather approaches our area.
Your Shadow Creek Ranch Management Team is currently working with community vendors to ensure the Common Elements, including plumbing, irrigation and landscaping, are properly secured in the event we experience sustained below-freezing temperatures in our area.
We encourage you to address your own winter weather checklist to ensure your home is prepared for the upcoming cold weather. We suggest the following:
♦ Know the location of your home’s water shut off valve. Make sure it works!
♦ Drain and wrap irrigation backflow preventer. Youtube Instructional Video Link
♦ Cover outdoor ornamental flower beds and other susceptible landscaping. This is a great way to repurpose old bed sheets. Also, bring in easily moved potted plants.
♦ Cover exterior hose bibs with Styrofoam covers, or wrap a towel around them, if you don’t have covers. Leave a trickle of water running through hose bibs, if unable to drain or cover. Remove hoses.
♦ Leave interior cabinet doors open so heat can get to pipes or drip a faucet in coldest part of home. Do the same on both levels, if your home is two stories.
♦ The pipes that burst the most are the pipes over the garage – consider leaving the door open from home to garage, if heat is working.
♦ Report any damage to Common Elements (irrigation or plumbing breaks, non-functioning gates or fountains, electrical, etc..) by completing a Work Request.
♦ Check in with your elderly or mobility impaired neighbors.
At this time the forecast does not call for winter storm type conditions in our area, but there is no time like the present to be ready. Consider the following in your family’s pre-planning for a winter storm event:
At Home
♦ Create a backup plan. Think about what your family would do in case of a power outage or heating trouble, whether it’s bunking with a relative or huddling with a neighbor.
♦ When winter weather is predicted, assess your stock of basic supplies. Have a two-day supply of food and water, flashlights and lanterns, and extra blankets. Add prescription drugs, baby or pet supplies, based on your family’s specific needs.
♦ Pay attention to your home’s pipes. Broken pipes can cause serious damage, and repeated freezing and thawing makes them vulnerable. If you see signs of trouble, call a plumber right away.
♦ Check on elderly or physically challenged neighbors, who can easily end up trapped at home after a storm. Offer help, when you can.
♦ For more information on disaster planning and preparedness, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Winter Weather Preparedness .
Behind the Wheel
It’s best to stay off the roads when bad weather hits. But if you must travel, note these safety tips.
♦ Visit Houston TransStar for updates on road conditions, crashes and delays that affect roadways in our area.
♦ Keep the gas tank at least half-full.
♦ Clear ice and snow from our vehicle before operating.
♦ Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
Take Alongs
♦ Cellphone and charger
♦ Flashlight and batteries
♦ Battery-operated radio
♦ Jumper cables
♦ Matches and candles
♦ First-aid supplies
♦ Extra warm clothing and gloves
♦ Blanket
♦ Ice scraper
♦ Sand
♦ Bottled water
♦ Nonperishable food
On the Road
♦ Slow down and increase following distance. Avoid sudden stops and starts.
♦ Beware of roads that look wet but are actually frozen, often referred to as “black ice.”
♦ Use extra caution on bridges and ramps, where ice can form without warning.
♦ Do not use cruise control when driving on ice or snow-covered roads.
♦ Turn on headlights when wipers are on. Use low beams in bad weather, especially in cases of heavy or blowing snow.
♦ If you become stranded, stay with the vehicle until help arrives. Run the engine every hour or so, but make sure the tailpipe is clear and keep a downwind window cracked open.
We hope you find this alert helpful. We will forward further updates with any change in the forecast.
Be warm and be safe!
Regards,
Shadow Creek Ranch Management Team
